Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does the verse 'Binyamin is a ravenous wolf' mean?
A: This verse is part of Yaakov's blessings to his sons before his passing. Rashi explains that this refers to the tribe of Binyamin being fierce warriors, like a wolf that hunts prey. The 'morning' and 'night' symbolize different eras: in the days of Ehud (a judge from Binyamin) they conquered enemies ('devoured prey'), and in the days of Mordechai (a descendant of Binyamin) they divided the spoils of Haman's wealth.
Q: Why is Binyamin compared to a wolf specifically?
A: The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 99:3) explains that just as a wolf is known for its strength and ability to seize prey, so too the tribe of Binyamin produced strong and courageous leaders. The comparison also hints that Binyamin's descendants would be involved in battles and victories, such as King Shaul (from Binyamin) who fought Israel's enemies.
Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: The Sages teach that every tribe's blessing contains eternal lessons. Binyamin's trait of being a 'ravenous wolf' teaches us about zealousness for a holy cause. Just as Binyamin's descendants fought for justice (like Mordechai against Haman), we too should stand strong for truth and righteousness when necessary, but always with proper boundaries like a wolf that hunts only when needed.
Q: What is the significance of 'morning' and 'night' in this verse?
A: The Ramban explains that 'morning' represents the early days of Binyamin's tribe when they were victorious in battle (like Ehud defeating Moab), while 'night' refers to later times when they benefited from spoils without war (like the Jews receiving Haman's wealth in the Purim story). This shows G-d's providence over Binyamin in different eras.
Q: Why did Yaakov give this particular blessing to Binyamin?
A: The Talmud (Sotah 36b) notes that Binyamin was the only son not involved in the sale of Yosef, showing his integrity. His blessing reflects this strength of character - the wolf imagery shows he could be fierce against enemies but didn't misuse his power against family. This teaches that true strength is controlled and used for justice.
Interpretation of the Verse
The verse "Binyamin is a ravenous wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil" (Genesis 49:27) is part of Yaakov Avinu's blessings to his sons before his passing. This particular verse refers to the tribe of Binyamin, and its imagery of a wolf carries deep symbolic meaning in Jewish tradition.
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi explains that the metaphor of the wolf refers to the military prowess and success of the tribe of Binyamin. He connects this to two key events:
Midrashic Insights
The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 99:3) elaborates on the wolf imagery, noting that just as a wolf seizes its prey with strength, so too would the tribe of Binyamin produce mighty warriors. Additionally, the Midrash connects this blessing to the future role of Binyamin's descendants in defending the Jewish people.
Rambam's Perspective
While Rambam does not comment directly on this verse, his teachings about Divine Providence (Hilchot Ta'anit 1:1-3) suggest that the success of Binyamin's descendants in battle reflects the idea that Hashem grants strength to those who serve Him with dedication, as exemplified by figures like Ehud and Shaul.
Symbolism of Morning and Evening
The Zohar (I:240a) interprets "morning" and "evening" as representing different eras in Jewish history:
Contemporary Significance
Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch explains that this blessing reminds us that each tribe has unique strengths given by Hashem. Binyamin's martial prowess was to be used in service of protecting the Jewish people and upholding justice, not for selfish gain.